Landscape with Ruin c. 1870

Felix Thiollier's "Landscape with Ruin" (c. 1870) showcases the artist's mastery of landscape photography. The photograph, now in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, captures a serene scene of a river winding its way through a valley, culminating in a crumbling stone bridge. The composition emphasizes the natural world, with the ruined structure serving as a reminder of the passage of time. The delicate light and shadow play enhance the image's romantic and evocative quality, inviting the viewer to contemplate the relationship between nature and human intervention.